Saturation politics

 Too much of everything is bad or specifically, too much of the same thing is bad. In other words, too much of politics among Nagas is bad and can be counter-productive. This was again brought to mind by veteran Naga politician and former governor and five-time chief minister Dr. S.C. Jamir at the 6th general convention of the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) in Dimapur. The veteran politician, is the only surviving member of the Naga People’s Convention (NPC) and among those who signed the 16-Point Agreement in 1960 with the government of India under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru which became the framework for the creation of Nagaland state in 1963.What Jamir has been saying all through the past years- the condition prevalent in Naga society- refers chiefly to the negative tendencies as consequence of the over indulgence in politics. Of course, without politics there would have been no awakening among the various tribes who proudly identified themselves as ‘Nagas’. Education had instilled a sense of purpose which was carried over to politics in creating awareness among Nagas, a trait that had pitched them ahead of all other tribals in the region. It was politics that banded Naga tribes together since the early 1900s (around 1926) when the Naga Club raised the Naga consciousness to a new level. Thereon, the few and first educated Nagas became aware of the evolving politics and envisioned themselves as one people. The Naga People’s Convention (NPC) was formed by several educated Nagas to provide a platform for deliberating on the human tragedy that unfolded in villages throughout erstwhile Naga Hills. From those years to statehood, politics had provided the platform for people to decide on their future. Perhaps what has changed today is that the politics of awareness has probably been played too often and too many times. Nagas are well aware of their political history and God-given rights and today they need to look for remedies for the persisting problems of politics. Politics is always relevant and that calls for leaders to redefine their agendas. It is a dichotomy that when “people’s rights” are being spoken of at every occasion, the other no less important “right of the individual” is being submerged/suppressed. Every citizen has a right which cannot be taken away by those who claim to fight or defend “people’s rights”. Individual rights are the building brick that makes the foundation for a collective “people’s rights.” Politics which seeks to impose certain ideologies on the individuals is not consonant with democratic principles. Every ideology has to stand the test of wide appeal and acceptability by also providing the room for differing opinions and dissent. This is what makes political ideology relevant. If there has been over saturation of identity politics, it is mainly because there has been too little open, frank and respectful deliberation. Today, Naga society has been grounded by the politics of tribe identity or tribe alliances etc which can only work against amalgamation of individuals who may have differing views but who learn to tolerate and respect the individual’s right to differ. Politics that has no vision will shut its doors on individual freedom and democracy. Various tribes or tribe alliances cannot ignore the challenges facing Naga society. They need to reinvigorate the traditional practise of ensuring liberty and justice for the individual irrespective of caste or creed to create a free and progressive society. Perhaps, political discourse could contribute if unity can be understood as tolerance to diversity of ideas and views in a fast developing world.